An accountability court was forced to adjourn the proceedings in a graft case against ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar, after PML-N lawyers and supporters tried to forcibly enter the building and create mayhem.

Just as the accountability court judge, Justice Muhammad Bashir, entered his courtroom, a number of lawyers associated with the PML-N forced their way inside and surrounded the judge's bench, loudly complaining that they had been manhandled by security forces outside the court and prevented from entering the courtroom.

The lawyers threatened to hold up the hearing until action was taken against the police officials who had allegedly manhandled them outside the court.

Maryam Nawaz outside the court premises in Islamabad. ─ DawnNews

As a result of the chaos, Justice Bashir decided to prematurely halt court proceedings for the day and asked both defendants to leave the courtroom and return for a hearing on October 19.

Once PML-N supporters and lawyers found out that the hearing had been adjourned, the crowd dispersed.

Imran Khan accuses PML-N of attacking the judiciary

Reacting to the situation, Imran Khan sent out a torrent of tweets accusing PML-N of attacking Pakistan’s judiciary.

“Today the PMLN attacked Pakistan's judiciary for the second time - today it was to protect the over Rs 30 b Sharifs' loot stashed abroad,” he tweeted.

He also claimed that Ahsan Iqbal’s “drama” over Rangers’ deployment at the Judicial Complex “was to leave the NAB judge unprotected.”

“Clearly PMLN is hell-bent on destroying all state institutions. People of Pakistan must be prepared to stand up and defend our state institutions,” he added.

Ending his tirade, Khan said that the destruction of state institutions means the disintegration of the state.
He concluded, “This is the Sharif agenda which nation must counter.”

Interior ministry calls for detailed report of the incident

As she left the court, Maryam Nawaz spoke to media and asked the Interior Ministry to come up with a strategy to "keep such events from occurring in the future".

Taking notice of the incident, the interior ministry asked Islamabad Police to compile a detailed report of the incident.

One male and one female lawyer, as well as two female police officers and one lady constable, were injured in the scuffle outside the accountability court.

The police has recorded statements from the three injured police personnel and will file a report.

While talking to the media, PML-N's Talal Chaudhary dismissed reports that PML-N lawyers had tried to force their way into the court, saying: "PML-N workers did nothing, the incident happened due to overcrowding, that is it."

Who's responsible for security?

Since earlier this month, controversy has surrounded the security arrangements made for the Judicial Complex.

On Oct 2, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal had lashed out at the Punjab Rangers after PML-N leaders, lawyers and supporters of ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif were prevented from entering the accountability court for a hearing on that day by the paramilitary force's personnel.

In his statement to the media, Iqbal had said that whoever had asked Rangers to secure the Judicial Complex had “challenged the writ of the government". He had ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.

At the time, it was said that neither the interior ministry nor the chief commissioner had ordered the Rangers to take up security of the Judicial Complex.

The Frontier Constabulary was subsequently ordered to take charge of parliament's security.

As a result of that move, Iqbal had sought an explanation from the director general of the Punjab Rangers. He had also inquired into the deployment of the force at the Federal Judicial Complex during the hearing of references against Nawaz Sharif "even though they had not been requested to do so."

Days after the episode, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor defended the Rangers’ actions, stating that written orders for their deployment had not been issued on all occasions in the past and verbal arrangements, as were allegedly made on that occasion, had been a norm.

Commenting on Iqbal’s statement regarding the Rangers “challenging the writ of the government”, Ghafoor had said that a soldier deployed to do his duty should be commended for discharging his responsibilities despite facing pressure to abandon his orders. He had explained that the army chief himself would not have been entertained in a similar situation by the posted personnel.

The report ordered to determine who was responsible for what happened on Oct 2 has yet to be submitted to the interior ministry.

Accountability court proceedings

On Oct 9, the accountability court in Islamabad had observed that Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and Captain Safdar would be indicted on Oct 13 (today).

It had also ordered NAB to initiate the process of declaring Sharif’s sons — Hassan and Hussain — proclaimed offenders, for consistently skipping court proceedings in the graft references pertaining to the Park Lane flats and the establishment of offshore companies.

NAB has given them 30 days (from Oct 11) to appear in court.

During her three-day stay in Lahore, Maryam did not visit her Jati Umra residence but stayed at her son-in-law’s home on The Mall.

She did not meet party workers from NA-120, many of whom were expecting her to meet them and congratulate her for her mother’s victory in the by-election.

On Thursday, Maryam had left for Islamabad from Lahore on a special plane to appear before the trial court, along with her husband, who has recently come under fire from several quarters, including his own party, for demanding that the government ban the Ahmadi community from government and military service.

Although National Accountability Bureau Deputy Prosecutor General Chaudhry Khaliquz Zaman had told Dawn that Sharif could not be indicted till he appeared in court, before today’s hearing, Sharif’s lawyer had claimed that he had the defendant’s permission to hear the court’s indictment verdict in his stead.

On DawnNews

Comments (96) Closed

illawarrior

Oct 13, 2017 09:23am

“Under the law a suspect cannot be charged in absentia,” he said. In that case, the law needs to be changed, and recent events have shown how quickly and easily that can happen, when the motivation is there.

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Maverik

Oct 13, 2017 09:24am

PML-N is falling apart faster than anticipated. Even the Sharif family is showing signs of internal fracture.

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PAK-OZ

Oct 13, 2017 09:35am

"On Thursday, Maryam left for Islamabad on a special plane to appear before the trial court"

wow, still rich and VIP.

what a country and what a law which only applicable to poor

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Taimur Javed

Oct 13, 2017 09:41am

Well, I hope now all "Champions of Democracy and Rule of Law", "no state within state" etc etc are happy.

I am sure now interior minister will not be fuming. After all, they are only asking for a blank check to do whatever they want (like in SC in 1997). I am sure that is their democratic right.

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Qasim

Oct 13, 2017 09:44am

Thought law applied equally irrespective of who the person is. Unfortunately, the Sharif family are getting it easy, which isn't surprising. I can't even imagine to be on a bail or have my case adjourned week in week out if i had been an accused in such a case. So this is how democracy looks like, no rights for the week and poor. :)

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ARSHAD

Oct 13, 2017 09:48am

Wasnt this expected, knowing history of plmn??

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khaled

Oct 13, 2017 09:48am

That's bad, hope sanity will prevail.

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Sab se pehle pakistan

Oct 13, 2017 09:51am

Our country is turning in to a banana republic. Institutions with power do something before its too late. Look at their protocols. This is tax payers money for God sake.

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PAK-OZ

Oct 13, 2017 10:00am

looking at how easy to loot the country and not only walk away from it but receive VIP protocols while proven guilty makes me think that I wish I would have looted some too.
(being sarcastic here)

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Common Citizen

Oct 13, 2017 10:04am

Now where are the Rangers who took control of the court last time and didn't allow even their own Minister to get in? This is why that day is not far when people treat the police currently will also treat other LEAs, if they didnt mend their way.

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Zahid raza

Oct 13, 2017 10:08am

Stop making the topi drama with people's of Pakistan.

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SAB

Oct 13, 2017 10:16am

What else one should expect from PMLN?

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Arshad

Oct 13, 2017 10:21am

Powerful elite and powerless institutions. Another black day in the history of Pakistan. God save this country.

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Nabeel

Oct 13, 2017 10:27am

So the Rangers deployment was a correct decision...

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Maverik

Oct 13, 2017 10:29am

You see why they were so mad at Rangers' deployment? Because Rangers didn't let them get on with their hooliganism. Shame on PML-N.

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Javed Arshad

Oct 13, 2017 10:29am

They can run , cannot escape. Where was our interior ministry today ? They did not show up !!

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ali

Oct 13, 2017 10:33am

Pre-planned; TIME GAINING TACTICS.

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mohsin

Oct 13, 2017 10:34am

Where were the Rangers this time?

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rajab

Oct 13, 2017 10:36am

Making People Fool. When will this drama end.

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ag babar

Oct 13, 2017 10:37am

Bring back Rangers, they only understand their language.

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Harun

Oct 13, 2017 10:38am

How many of you voted for these people and will do so again?

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AHMED BAJWA

Oct 13, 2017 10:39am

@Sab se pehle pakistan

Well Said

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Sara

Oct 13, 2017 10:53am

There are many elite Pakistanies who are money racketing. This one should be jailed.

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Asif khan

Oct 13, 2017 10:55am

What image of the country is being created by the day to day happening in the country.

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Arshad

Oct 13, 2017 10:59am

"Military Courts" are the only solution to this on going drama.

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Ahsan Gul

Oct 13, 2017 11:09am

These NS and family must return looted money.

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Najum

Oct 13, 2017 11:16am

This would have not happened, had the Rangers been there.

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Syed

Oct 13, 2017 11:16am

Weak justice system exposed.

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mohammad niaz khan

Oct 13, 2017 11:17am

They could not achieve this via Islamabad high court.

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Mohammed

Oct 13, 2017 11:25am

NOW you can see why they were so distressed when the Rangers were used earlier.

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Zahid Haroon

Oct 13, 2017 11:37am

Judge should call back rangers for next hearing for security of the court. Otherwise N league will not let court proceed in indictment.

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Moses

Oct 13, 2017 11:39am

And what of those who don't attend court all together and the dates for their cases have to be extended every time? All the politicians in Pakistan need to examine themselves thoroughly, we are fast becoming a banana republic!! Not just politicians but the judges, civil servants and all of the buracracy.

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Viking Star

Oct 13, 2017 11:43am

It was already planned move my PML-N to continue dragging the indictment further.

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ali akbar

Oct 13, 2017 11:52am

The question is: What makes easy catch for law enforcers when gentlemen ahead and what makes them tremble in fear when the powerful figures with proven criminal record stand eye-to-eye before them !

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Fareed uk

Oct 13, 2017 11:59am

Now everyone knows why a scene was created about Rangers presence outside the court and why Rangers had to be removed. Where was the Interior Minister when thugs caused a commotion inside the court, forcing an adjournment. This is what you may describe as shenanigans of a true banana republic.

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Shahid

Oct 13, 2017 11:59am

The SC must takes very severe notice of this interference with the proceedings of the Accountability Court.

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Nauman M

Oct 13, 2017 12:10pm

@Zahid raza

How can you say that when we keep on voting for them tirelessly and they in return are saying it's the will and writ of the general public who are in our support?

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Nasir A.

Oct 13, 2017 12:14pm

How foolish. Leaders sitting in air conditioned cars like royalty whilstvtheir foolish servants suffer in heat.

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BAXAR

Oct 13, 2017 12:19pm

@Moses "And what of those who don't attend court all together and the dates for their cases have to be extended every time?" They are not running the government.

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Syed

Oct 13, 2017 12:19pm

Haha, extension in date was refused; so there they got it!

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Sid

Oct 13, 2017 12:20pm

Check CCTV - arrest each and every individual who created this disturbance and ban them from being lawyers.. arrest that shameful Maryam without bail and conduct the hearings behind closed doors - this is what these people deserve

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BAXAR

Oct 13, 2017 12:21pm

@Asif khan "What image of the country is being created by the day to day happening in the country." We have orange train and metro buses, who cares about courts!!!

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zf

Oct 13, 2017 12:33pm

Typical PML-N.

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Ali Vazir

Oct 13, 2017 12:40pm

How long will we suffer at the hands of bullying and disrespect for law and justice by the makers of law and ensurers?
Until the so-called silent majority speaks loudly against such malpractices, they will not only continue but nurture and demonstrate even bigger problems.

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Copper

Oct 13, 2017 12:43pm

So PMLN kept their tradition !

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Democrat

Oct 13, 2017 12:45pm

@mohsin The Interior Minister has managed to keep them at bay, so that PMLN supporters / state of Pakistan ministers can do whatever hooliganism they can mange, in order to delay Court proceedings. Seems a planned affair. It proves that Rangers deployment at the previous hearing was perfectly logical.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Oct 13, 2017 12:47pm

In my view, all this drama was deliberately created to delay the NAB's proceedings. Very shameful and disgraceful - hear the cases under strict security like an ordinary person"s case is heard - finalise the cases and sentence them. Do not linger on!

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ABE

Oct 13, 2017 12:49pm

Further evidence of the PML-N voter base: Uneducated, illiterate (though some pretend to practice the 'Law') street hustlers, flunkies, groupies, ignorant cheerleaders, who can be bought for a few hundred rupees to create chaos, noise and disrupt respectable institutions. We are being ruled by the Mafia.

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Madeeh

Oct 13, 2017 12:52pm

And now you KNOW why the rangers were there.

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Dino khan

Oct 13, 2017 12:56pm

Mafia at it's best.They are above the law of the land..

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Oct 13, 2017 01:02pm

Dirty politics and Sicilian mafia in action - this is a clear example of taking mockery of the judiciary and law of the land. Very shameful, disgraceful and embarrassing for nation! I ask: will corrupt mafia win or justice will prevail?

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Naz

Oct 13, 2017 01:04pm

Every one of those causing the disruption should be arrested and charged. This is not befitting of a court room. Where is the law and order these lawyers are claiming to represent. Hypocrites.

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Imtiaz Piracha

Oct 13, 2017 01:06pm

So, the deployment of Rangers last time at NAB court, to which Ahsan Iqbal objected, was a wise decision after all.

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Azhar ABbas

Oct 13, 2017 01:18pm

"As she left the court premises, Maryam Nawaz spoke to the media and asked the Interior Ministry to come up with a strategy to keep such events from occurring in the future".
It reminds me Ahsan Iqbal's comment claiming he was not a "puppet minister".

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tauseef

Oct 13, 2017 01:21pm

What a joke, it is difficult to comprehend the way the proceeding of case is handled

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TAF

Oct 13, 2017 01:25pm

Call the Rangers..........

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Nazir Ahmed

Oct 13, 2017 01:30pm

PML (N) definitely knows how to deal with judiciary.

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Aleem

Oct 13, 2017 01:45pm

History repeating itself. PMLN true to its reputation attacks courts again. Now the interior minister knows why rangers was deployed on the day 1. Unfortunately it is too late now as damage has been done to the justice system and reputation of Pakistan. Time to think about the country first rising above politics and party affiliations

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Gerry dcunha

Oct 13, 2017 01:49pm

Is there any institutions left in the country who could take action and punish these few elite goondas who are damaging the reputitation of our respectful country. The nation is looking for the arm forces to intervene for God sake.

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Mahmood

Oct 13, 2017 01:49pm

Exactly why the Military needs to step in to protect the few remaining functional institutions from the PML-N hoodlums.

Pakistan is being turned into a laughing stock of the world:

1) Disqualified and disgraced PM being re-elected and his bed-ridden wife running to be elected as PM replacement.
2) Courts and judges being mocked by the thugs and the corrupt politicians who refuse to give up power.
3) The National Carrier being reduced to a glorified bus service in the air, after a nation of 200 million has no flights to the US.
4) Politicians robbing and ruining the country - while sitting comfortably abroad with $billions of loot.

This list could be endless. Someone has to rescue this nation. If not the Military, than who??

Rangers should be deployed on next hearing. PML N intentionally made an issue of Rangers presence at the last hearing to create this mess in the court this time. How shrewd they are in their negative tactics. Wish such shrewdness be used to steer the country of crisis. People will be more than happily elect them again if they move country forward rather then their ownselves.

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ABE

Oct 13, 2017 01:55pm

Physical assault on a Police office or even a verbal insult is a serious offense in most civilized nations. But this is Pakistan - land of the uncouth and ignorant.

Pakistan being an exception, over-run by black-coat clad monkeys and hoodlums who wouldn't know how to even spell 'LAW' even the police officers are not safe. The courts are being held in contempt, judges are mocked and insulted; law is being ridiculed and violated, chaos and confusion being sowed to stop the functions of the judicial branch of the government.

Law of the jungle is what prevails in this society. I feel sorry for this entire nation. It must be some kind of cosmic curse to be stuck with such miscreants and corrupt politicians who know no better.

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Wajahat

Oct 13, 2017 02:04pm

Ahsan Iqbal sahab that's why rangers was there last time.

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Tariq, Lohore

Oct 13, 2017 02:15pm

Another way to 'buy' time! Ranger should have been on security duty they stand for no nonsense!

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adilm

Oct 13, 2017 02:29pm

So this is why they had a problem with ranger's deployment?

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Taimoor Khan

Oct 13, 2017 02:40pm

State and its institutions have been made hostage to these political thugs in the guise of democracy and "civilian supremacy". Time is fast approaching that these hollow slogans of "civilian supremacy" and "democracy" will be laughed at by the citizens of Pakistan.

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OzZAK

Oct 13, 2017 02:52pm

Why institutes show mercy on them? Why they dont counter them quickly, watching them as they will stop they won't.

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Akram

Oct 13, 2017 02:54pm

its time to take these lawyers who think they can barge into a court of law, to task. If there was overcrowding the police have a right to restrict numbers of people coming in. Its time to take action against these people.

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Kaspar

Oct 13, 2017 02:55pm

Get real tough with them, or they will keep creating mayhem to evade accountability!

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Sohaila

Oct 13, 2017 02:58pm

Where is Ahsan Iqbal? Who is he going to sort out this time? Why did he not care to go to the incident place this time?

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creepalert

Oct 13, 2017 03:00pm

@Taimur Javed nice try.

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creepalert

Oct 13, 2017 03:01pm

apparently, the incompetent don't get bored writing the same things..

waste.

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OZ

Oct 13, 2017 03:11pm

IK is so right here

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K Alam

Oct 13, 2017 04:35pm

I think this is the ideal time for Interior minister to resign from his post as he failed to protect state institutions who are performing their functions.

It is very un fortunate,,is there no body to prevail upon the ex P/M and make him understand normal democratic process to run the state/.

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Saima

Oct 14, 2017 12:42am

Why postponed ?? They should get indicted ASAP.
Criminals are getting too much leniency.....

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Roniraja

Oct 14, 2017 01:02am

Good ledar.nawaz shreef

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Shaer khan

Oct 14, 2017 03:43am

I just want to know answers to two of my questions and that is "who is this guy slapping a three star police officer" and is he sleeping at home tonight..

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Bin Adam

Oct 14, 2017 04:13am

The person attacking the Police officer should be arrested and brought to optimum Justice. Else it will encourage many many other lawbreaking citizens and criminals. Only the party concerned sould be allowed inside the Court. In European, American, Asian and even African Countries many times Head of The States or Head of the ruling and opposition parties been summoned by the Court but neither they ever take irrelevant persons or procession inside the Court to intimidate the Judiciary. The case of ex South Korean President is one of the recent example who is still in the jail. Pakistan has already lost her image beyond repair. Either close down all the Courts and law enforcing institutions or protect their sanctity and integrity at all cost.

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London Kundon

Oct 14, 2017 04:34am

From the picture it is hard to figure out who is manhandling whom.

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Ostrich Head In Hole.

Oct 14, 2017 04:37am

Creating chaos and disturbing peace is the only way out to save face! Lawyers getting involved to achieve the aim is in itself a proof of anarchy!

See, what such an ill gotten money has brought about for the entire family? Sleepless nights, court cases, ailments, running about pillar to post to save the skin!

The nature has its own ways to punish!

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KB

Oct 14, 2017 06:39am

The minister who cannot protect the courts from
PML N Goones has no Bussiness remaining
The Interior Minister .

You also should heed the same advice as you are giving the ISPR

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Be honest

Oct 14, 2017 07:09am

Law abiding officers and lawyers, who are involved in creating chaos and mayhem to deflect attention of the court proceedings and create hindrance to justice system should all be punished heavily after their dismissal from their duties. Now SC judge should dismiss all lawyers involved in this chaotic and nonsense move. Lawyers must abide by law. We have seen that Pakistani lawyer do take law in their hands and set bad examples to the whole society. They have many black spots on their black coats.

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Be honest

Oct 14, 2017 07:15am

A lawyer who is seen hitting police officer should have been arrested at the spot. This is an open insult to law and enforcement agencies and a big slap to the justice system. Lawyers have ganged up as criminals in our country and have been given free hand to do whatever they like. It is condemn able, shame and very unfortunate. Interior minister and law minister should take action promptly.

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Azmeen

Oct 14, 2017 07:21am

It was not attack on judiciary in any way but such attitude of lawyers is not acceptable as it tarnished the country image.

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Be honest

Oct 14, 2017 07:52am

PML N has drowned deep into the sea. Now it is time to bury PML N corpse.

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mohammad niaz khan

Oct 14, 2017 10:46am

WELL PLAYED!PMLN.

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The end is near

Oct 14, 2017 05:21pm

This can be expected from PMLN. Using police force for their dirty purposes.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Oct 14, 2017 06:01pm

In line with its decades old tradition, precedent and history, yet another covert attempt by the Ittefaq group and its cronies to attack the judiciary in order to protect and promote its vested interests and deep-rooted agenda.

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Syed Ahmed, Canada

Oct 14, 2017 09:33pm

Sharif's are habitual for storming the superior courts. The way a senior Police Inspector was getting beating is highly shameful. He has shown lot of restraint. Had a Gulloo type of an inspector on duty, he would have pulled out his service revolver and killed the Goon and his supporters.

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s.r.reddy

Oct 14, 2017 09:48pm

@PAK-OZ
how do u expect them to spend money. they want to lead luxurius life at the cost of nation.

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Zak

Oct 15, 2017 05:21am

Suspend hooligan lawyers.

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My Advice

Oct 15, 2017 08:53am

Police officer was doing his job. Lawyer who hit the officer should be pulled in the court. Hopefully lawyer gets 90 days in jail and lose his legal practice licence for a year. That is how you teach those arrogant lawyers how to behave.